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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






2. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






3. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






4. Unmusical - without tone.






5. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






6. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






7. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






8. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






9. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






10. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






11. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






12. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






13. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






14. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






15. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






16. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






17. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






18. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






19. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






20. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






21. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






22. Group of singers in a chorus.






23. A composition written for nine instruments.






24. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






25. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






26. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






27. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






28. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






29. The highest female voice.






30. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






31. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






32. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






33. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






34. A direction to play expressively.






35. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






36. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






37. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






38. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






39. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






40. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






41. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






42. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






43. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






44. The unit of musical rhythm.






45. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






46. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






47. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






48. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






49. Closing section of a movement.






50. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.